News Brief

8/23/2012, Elul 5, 5772

Letters Threaten Life of Lyon's Chief Rabbi

French authorities launched a major investigation, Wednesday, following the sending of hate mail to the chief rabbi of Lyon, Rabbi Richard Wertenschlag, which contained threats on his life. The letters included photographs of children being taken to concentration camps during the Holocaust, and said that every time Jews complained about anti-Semitism, attacks would become stronger.

Rabbi Wertenschlag told the media there may be people who downplay this and say it is the work of just one person, but people must understand but lately there have been many new expressions of anti-Semitism that have surfaced and this phenomenon must arouse concern. He said this is not the first time he has received anti-Semitic letters but it is the first time he has been sent a clear threat on his life.